About the job

Job summary

The Government People Group (GPG) exists to work with departments, professions, and functions to build a modern, effective Civil Service.

We support the government workforce with the right skills and capability. We are working with leaders to get the right people in the right jobs, with the right skills and continuous learning to excel in their roles.

We provide leadership, and in turn, create leaders with exceptional line management capability across departments, influencing partners in the wider public sector and beyond. This involves getting our retention and reward strategy right, to nurture specific skills, and create pride and resilience in our workforce.

Our role is also to provide system leadership across central government in pulling together back office services. Collectively, we help support the Cabinet Office’s priority to drive efficiencies, and reforms that will make government work better, to ultimately provide a better service to the public.

The role available sits within the Platforms, Data and Interoperability (PD&I) directorate. The team provides first-class platforms and services for over 400,000 civil servants, including recruitment, data analysis, skills, insight and learning solutions. We have a responsibility for the operation and modernisation of Civil Service digital and data platforms. 

You will be based within the Data and Insight team, who have developed a data platform and are the lead analytical unit in GPG. Across our newly created team we provide a range of insight and data services which drive value for a range of internal clients e.g. objective and high-quality data analytics, statistical reporting and operational research to support senior leaders. Our services enable users to understand and tackle complex problems, increase operational effectiveness and develop their organisational strategy.

Job description

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and skilled Software Engineer / full-stack developer to join our team focused on developing cutting-edge AI and generative AI solutions to support Civil Servants. This role will play a pivotal part in designing, building, and deploying innovative applications that streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency across the public sector.

The team is currently in the process of developing its first tool focused on optimising job advertisements and will be defining new work streams in the coming months. The team have access to vast recruitment and workforce datasets, enabling enhanced data science analysis and innovation in tool development.

Your role will involve further development and deployment of the recruitment app, integrating the data scientist's work on training a large language model. This will involve improving and developing the front end, building, utilising AWS infrastructure, and developing a system for sharing the app securely across departments and public bodies. 

Additionally, you will also work on the development of upcoming workstreams and products.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead the development and deployment of our flagship recruitment application, which integrates large language models trained by our data science team. This involves optimising the front-end experience, building and managing AWS infrastructure, and implementing secure sharing mechanisms across departments and public bodies.
2. Collaborate closely with data scientists to ensure seamless integration of their work, streamlining processes, and maximising the effectiveness of AI/ML models in our applications.
3. Contribute to the ideation, design, and development of future AI-driven products and workstreams, leveraging your expertise in problem-solving, software architecture, and emerging technologies.
4. Provide technical leadership, project management oversight, and mentorship to junior team members, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
5. Communicate complex technical concepts and solutions to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner, ensuring alignment and understanding across teams.

The team is looking for someone who can take a problem-solving approach to overcome blockers and hurdles, who is willing and able to work with new technologies, and who can communicate their work in a jargon-free manner. 

You will be supported by a wider digital team consisting of a Technical Architect, Infrastructure Engineer, Service Delivery Manager and an Operational Researcher.

Although not required, prior experience in the deployment of Large Language Models, including the process used to train and fine-tune models, is desirable. However, we welcome applications from skilled candidates looking to develop in this area.

Person specification

The team is looking for someone with the skills to build and deploy apps, who can take a problem-solving approach to overcome blockers and hurdles, who is part of a digital team and will work with data scientists to ensure processes are streamlined and effective, and who can communicate their work in a jargon-free manner. 

We encourage applications from candidates who meet most but not necessarily all of the listed qualifications and requirements, as we value diverse backgrounds and transferable skills. These candidates should be able to demonstrate an ability to learn and apply new techniques and processes quickly and with minimal coaching or supervision.

Web Development: The developer should have a good understanding of Python and experience with web frameworks such as Django. Wider experience of web development technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript (and a framework like React, Angular, or Vue.js), and server-side languages like Node.js or Ruby on Rails is desirable.

API Development: Experience designing and utilising RESTful APIs.

AWS Cloud Services: Familiarity with AWS services such as EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud), S3 (Simple Storage Service), Lambda (serverless computing), API Gateway, Sagemaker, and other relevant services for building and deploying applications on the AWS cloud. Ideally, this would also include familiarity with Fargate and SageMaker JumpStart.

Database Management: Knowledge of AWS Athena query engine and relational databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, DynamoDB) database types for storing and managing application data.

Version Control: Proficiency in using version control systems like Git for managing and collaborating on code.

Security and Compliance: Knowledge of best practices for secure application development, including authentication, authorization, and compliance with relevant regulations, especially when dealing with sensitive data.

Work autonomously and in a self-directed way with high agency, thriving in a constantly changing environment and a steadily growing team, while figuring out the best and most efficient ways to solve a particular problem

Communication and Collaboration: Strong communication skills to work effectively with data scientists, project managers, and other stakeholders to understand requirements, discuss technical solutions, and provide updates on progress.

Integration and Deployment: Experience managing code versioning via git or similar. Experience deploying Infrastructure from Infrastructure as Code via Terraform or Cloudformation

Desirable

Deployment of Large Language Models, including the process used to train and fine tune models e.g. via managed service such as AWS Bedrock or similar

Working with data scientists to integrate Machine Learning and AI model: Work with data scientists to ensure their data prepared by AWS AI services can be loaded into web applications.

Containerization and Orchestration: Understanding of containerization technologies like Docker and container orchestration tools like Kubernetes or AWS ECS (Elastic Container Service) for deploying and scaling applications.

Additionally, experience with Agile methodologies would be advantageous.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,400, Cabinet Office contributes £14,418 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

Stage 1 - application 

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. 
2. A Personal Statement against the skills and experience (maximum 750 words)

Your CV and Personal Statement are your opportunities to show us how your experience means that you meet the criteria for this role. Your CV should cover your skills, qualifications, job history, and achievements to date and your Personal Statement is the chance to further expand on this and give specific examples of where you have demonstrated the criteria. Giving examples rather than just saying you're experienced with a certain requirement will strengthen your statement and enable the sift panel to understand more about your suitability for the role.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Selection process

Stage 2 - interview 

Candidates successful at the sift stage will be invited to interview. At the interview, you will be assessed on three Behaviours, and two Technical Skills.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected timeline: tbc

Expected interview date/s: tbc

Interview location: Online

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.